Homeland Security

DATE=11/04/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT-SHORT

TITLE=TURKISH EMBASSY BOMB UPDATE (SHORT ONLY)

NUMBER=2-309408

BYLINE= LAUREN COMITEAU

DATELINE=AMSTERDAM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A man suspected of planting a bomb at the Turkish Embassy in the Dutch city, The Hague, has been arrested. The explosion caused a fire at the embassy, but no injuries. Lauren Comiteau reports from Amsterdam.

TEXT: The suspect, who had run away from embassy security guards, was caught a couple of hours later at The Hague's Central train station. He is in police custody.

The Turkish Ambassador to The Hague told Turkish television the man who placed the bomb has dark features and was speaking Dutch. His motive is not known.

The Embassy says the bomb was put at the public entrance to the embassy. The fire damaged one of the embassy's two buildings. The ambassador and about 15 other staff members were in the embassy when the bomb exploded.

Intelligence agencies have warned that the Netherlands could be the target of a terrorist attack. There have been several arrests of suspected terrorists since the September 11th attacks in the United States, but many suspects have been released for lack of evidence.

Last month, the Turkish embassy in Baghdad was attacked by a suicide bomber, injuring 10 people. That attack was apparently motivated by opposition to Turkey's plan to send troops to join coalition forces in Iraq. (SIGNED)

NEB/LC/AWP/RAE